The first official K-Pop lightstick was made for BIGBANG—and it started the trend that continues today. BIGBANG’s iconic crown-style lightstick is one of the earliest ever and remains a fan favorite. Here’s how the first lightstick shaped K-Pop concert culture and what came after.
BIGBANG and the Crown
BIGBANG is credited with launching the first official K-Pop lightstick. The design—a crown—fit the group’s image and set a precedent: lightsticks weren’t just glow sticks; they were branded, collectible symbols of the fandom. Fans could hold up the crown at concerts and show unity. That idea spread quickly. Today, almost every major K-Pop group has an official lightstick, and the crown remains one of the most recognizable and beloved designs in the industry. It still appears in “best” and “iconic” lightstick lists. For more on the best designs that followed, see our Best page.
Why the First Matters
The first lightstick established that K-Pop fandoms could have an official, glowing accessory tied to the group’s identity. Before BIGBANG, concert audiences might have used generic glow sticks or nothing at all. After BIGBANG, lightsticks became a standard part of K-Pop merch and concert experience. They also became collectibles: fans started to own multiple designs and display them. The concept of a “light ocean”—thousands of fans holding the same official stick in sync—grew from this origin. For what a lightstick is and how it works today, read our What Is a K-Pop Lightstick guide.
From Crown to Today
After BIGBANG, other groups adopted their own shapes and colors: hammers (BLACKPINK), gems (SEVENTEEN), staffs (Dreamcatcher), and spheres with Bluetooth (BTS). Technology evolved—today most have Bluetooth or syncing tech for concerts—but the core idea stayed: an official, branded glowing fan accessory that represents the fandom. The first K-Pop lightstick set that in motion. For the coolest, prettiest, and unique designs that followed, browse our category pages. To buy official lightsticks (including re-releases or vintage-style merch), use our Where to Buy guide.
Summary
The first official K-Pop lightstick was made for BIGBANG, with its iconic crown design. It started the trend that led to the lightsticks we know today: official, branded, often Bluetooth-enabled, and central to concert culture. BIGBANG’s crown remains one of the most iconic and fan-loved designs in K-Pop history.